A&R Executive and Global Strategist

Executive, Artist, and Entrepreneur bridging the worlds of music, culture, and technological innovation with a decade of experience at Warner Music Group and an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Bilingual Songwriter/ Producer Global A&R Executive Data-Driven Entrepreneur
David Stouck
David Stouck

About

I've spent the last decade building at the intersection of music, culture, and tech—discovering artists, launching labels, and turning creative vision into commercial reality across Asia and beyond. My work isn't just about finding hits; it's about understanding movements before they happen and building platforms that amplify voices the industry overlooks.

At Warner Music Group, I didn't just do A&R—I built ecosystems. I founded Asiatic Records, the first pan-Asian hip-hop label, because I saw a gap between where the culture was going and where the business was stuck. I launched The Regionals, the first-ever pan-Asia hip-hop cypher series, because I believe in giving artists stages before the mainstream catches up. My approach is simple: find the signal in the noise, back artists with conviction, and build infrastructure that lasts.

I'm bilingual in English and Mandarin, which isn't just a skill—it's how I think. Eastern and Western markets don't need translation; they need people who can operate natively in both. I've got an MBA from Kellogg, but what matters more is that I can produce a track, close a deal, and keynote a conference in the same week. I'm an executive who makes music and an artist who understands margins. That's the edge.

David Stouck

A&R Portfolio: Songs I've Developed

From discovering breakthrough artists to developing chart-topping hits across Asia, this playlist showcases the diverse catalog of music I've A&R'ed throughout my career at Warner Music Group. Each track represents artists I believed in, nurtured, and helped bring to the world stage.

Career

Warner Music Asia (Hong Kong)

Vice President of A&R

  • Led A&R strategy across Asia-Pacific region, discovering and developing breakthrough artists
  • Founded Asiatic Records, Warner Music's first pan-Asian hip-hop label, featuring artists like Ramengvrl
  • Spearheaded The Regionals, the first-ever pan-Asia hip-hop cypher series in partnership with HipHopDX Asia
  • Built strategic partnerships with regional platforms and stakeholders to expand market reach
  • Managed multi-million dollar A&R budgets and drove revenue growth through innovative artist development
Warner Music Asia team

Warner Music Group (New York)

Senior Manager of Revenue and Repertoire Assurance

  • Optimized revenue streams and protected repertoire across multiple territories
  • Developed data-driven strategies for catalog exploitation and rights management
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to maximize commercial opportunities
  • Implemented best practices for revenue tracking and reporting systems
Ed Sheeran collaboration

Consulting & Speaking

Snafu Records, Songfund

MBA Summer Associate - Stockholm, Sweden

Conducted market analysis and strategic planning for Nordic music ventures, focusing on emerging artist development and digital distribution strategies.

Stockholm team

ESF Leadership Conference

Keynote Speaker - Hong Kong (2024)

Delivered keynote address at English School Foundation annual conference on music industry innovation and leadership in the digital age.

ESF keynote

SXSW Australia

Organized international artist showcases and moderated industry expert panels, facilitating cross-cultural music exchange between Asian and Western markets.

SXSW showcase

Wesleyan University

Selected to teach full-credit course: "From Afrika Bambaataa to Azealia Banks: The Social Theory of American Rap Lyrics" - examining the cultural and sociological impact of hip-hop music.

Wesleyan artists

Skills & Expertise

A&R & Development

Talent scouting, creative direction, career strategy, and partnership building with a proven track record across multiple markets.

Music Matters panel

Strategic Planning

Market analysis, business development, revenue optimization, and cross-cultural collaboration in the global music industry.

Strategy session

Languages

English (Native)
Mandarin Chinese (Professional Fluency)

International collaboration

Technical Tools

Microsoft Excel, Logic Pro, Music Production Software, Data Analytics Platforms

Studio work

Music

Latest Music Video

Shai Buren on Spotify

Stream my latest tracks and follow for new releases

Press

2026

Jun 2026

Received MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management

Graduated from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management with a Major in Finance.

2024

2024

Inside Warner Music Asia: What Does A&R Really Do?

An in-depth look at David's team at Warner Music Asia and the vital role of A&R in discovering talent.

Read →

2023

Let's Connect

Whether you're looking to collaborate on a project, discuss opportunities, or simply connect about music and innovation, I'd love to hear from you.